USS John F. Kennedy Sets Sail for Final Acceptance Trials Ahead of 2027 Handover
The pre-commissioning carrier USS John F. Kennedy departed Newport News, Virginia, to begin its acceptance sea trials, the last major test before the US Navy takes ownership.
The future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) left the Newport News Shipbuilding facility to commence acceptance sea trials, the final evaluation phase before formal transfer to the US Navy. These trials will rigorously test key components such as the carrier's arresting gear and advanced weapons elevators, both of which have caused a one-year schedule slip. Seven of the ship's eleven elevators are already operational, allowing crew training to continue while the remaining four are slated for completion within the next seven months.
Congress required the vessel to be ready for the F-35C Joint Strike Fighter from its first deployment, a goal the builder hopes to meet. Although the handover is expected in March 2027, the carrier likely will not enter active service until at least 2028 after post-delivery testing and air-wing integration. The timeline mirrors but aims to improve on the longer rollout experienced by the lead-ship USS Gerald R. Ford.
Why it matters
The carrier adds critical aviation capability to the US fleet, influencing naval power and future force readiness.
In this story
